Textbook Information: No textbook is required to complete this certificate program.

Program Description: The Online Early Childhood Assessment Certificate program provides essential training on the use of effective assessment strategies, methods, and tools in the early childhood setting. Participants will learn about the purpose of assessment, indicators of effectiveness, and strategies for adjusting curriculum or developing an assessment-driven curriculum. The program also provides information and practical application for a number of common assessment methods and tools, including formal and informal observation, developmental checklists, anecdotal records, interviews, portfolios, and more.

Program Objectives: Upon satisfactorily completing the Online Early Childhood Assessment Certificate program, students should be able to:

Differentiate between formal and informal assessment and identify purpose of each in the early childhood environment

Define and identify the purpose of assessment, developmental milestones, observation, and developmental checklist

Identify the purpose of various assessment tools, including portfolios, anecdotal records, time sampling, event sampling, interviews, and checklists

Identify best practices for taking action based on assessment data

Identify and analyze NAEYC indicators of effective assessment

Demonstrate understanding of basic observation techniques

Demonstrate ability to complete an evaluate frequency charts and checklists

Student Assessment: Students enrolled in the Online Early Childhood Assessment Certificate program are assessed using the following methods:

Competency based multiple-choice questions

Student activities and/or observations with written feedback

End of Course Quizzes in multiple-choice format – Students must pass each quiz with a grade of 70% or better to complete the course.

Cumulative Final Exam in multiple-choice format – Students must pass with a grade of 70% or better to complete the certificate program.

Enrollment Requirements:

Must be 18 years of age or older

Must possess a high school diploma or GED and submit documentation as proof

Must have access to a computer and printer

Must have a valid email address

Must have access to the Internet through a JavaScript enabled web browser (i.e. Internet Explorer 7.0 or higher, Mozilla Firefox 3.0 or higher, etc.)

Must be able to speak, read, and write well enough in the language the course is presented in to understand and complete the course material

Course(s) within this program may require observation, assessment, and practical application of learning principles in an early childhood learning environment. Students must be working in or have access to an early childhood environment to successfully complete these course(s).